Page 50 of Devlin

"Right on time. I've always liked that about you, Devlin." She gave him a kiss on the cheek, then wiped off the smudge her bright-pink lipstickhad left with a smile. "And I also like that you're willing to take your old grandmother to tea when I'm sure you'd rather be on the ocean."

"Not at all. I'm looking forward to this." He gave her his arm. "May I escort you in?"

"Yes, you may."

They were seated at a table by the window, overlooking the gardens. The tables were about half-full and most of the diners were women,with only a few men sprinkled in. He knew his father hated tea at the Bickmore, but it was something his grandmother and mother enjoyed quite a bit. His grandmother was no doubt missing his mother a great deal. During the summer months in King Harbor, they spent a lot of time together. He needed to make sure she wasn't lonely.

"I hope you like tea, Devlin," she said, with a twinkle in hereyes. "Or if you need a little kick in it, I have a flask in my purse."

"Nana. You should not be carrying around a flask."

"At my age, I can do anything I want."

"That must feel freeing."

She tilted her head, giving him a speculative look. "What don't you feel free to do?"

"Oh, I don't know. I didn't mean anything by my words."

"Words always mean something."

Fortunately, he didn't have to come up with a better answer, because the waitress was at their table. The older woman ran through their tea options in great detail. He'd had no idea there were so many variations of tea. When his grandmother ordered green jasmine tea, he did the same, hoping it would taste good. But his preference for a caffeinated hot beverage was coffee, black and strong,no sugar or cream.

"So, Devlin, how is it going at the Boatworks without your right-hand man?" his grandmother asked.

"Not well. News is getting out that Frank may be done, and I've had to talk two customers out of pulling their orders for new boats."

"Why don't you hire him back?"

"Because Dad fired him."

"Which was petty, but it's your company, Devlin."

"Under the umbrella of Blackthorne Enterprises. But I reminded Dad that he'd promised me autonomy. I threatened to quit if he isn't willing to hire Frank back."

"What happened?"

"He went back to Boston, and I don't have an answer."

"Your father can be quite contrary, you know. He's been that way since he was a little boy. If I told him I didn't want him to do something,he couldn't do anything else."

"I can't even picture Dad as a little boy."

"Well, he was just as stubborn and opinionated but a lot shorter," she said. "But your father also has a big heart and a soft side that he doesn't like to show. He thinks it will make him look weak. But it's still there, Devlin. He's very upset about your mother."

"Then why doesn't he talk to her?"

"I have a feeling he doesn't know what to say."

He shook his head. "I think it's more that he doesn't want to address her issues."

"Probably both. But you'll have to let your parents work out their own problems."

"Don't worry, I will. I have enough problems with my dad."

"Well, he's coming home tomorrow night. I spoke to him a short while ago."

"Good. Haveyou also spoken to my mother?"

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